Far be it for me to defend Phil Clarke but he did have a point to an extent. It is a little bit embarrasing that we have no internal fullback cover. Obviously there are mitigating circumstances, i.e. the old regime, but we still shouldn't be having to go to other clubs.

Jesus wept. At the start of the season we had three options at fullback. One has gone home, one is injured and the other was playing at stand off. Not every player in every position in the under 20s will be ready to step up to SL level. What's embarrassing is that anyone could think that Clarke had anything even approaching a valid point.

Didn't he say that despite the large number of amateur clubs locally we have failed to bring through a local full back in the last ten years?

If so he was correct, who was the last one? Richard Gay?

Bit harsh that, after all you are talking about the man that gave the world the margin meter.

Whiting is class. 3 year deal minimum

And why did Leeds bring Lunt straight in? Their youth development is excellent but there was a young player available at another club who would bring more than their academy hooker.

Perhaps I just interpreted it a different way. His delivery of the comment was awful but I think there is a point hidden in there somewhere.
It is a shame that we haven't got anyone coming through who can come in at fullback. Not sure embarrasing is the word but nonetheless as a club we should have some options there. Obviously it is currently understandable as to why this is case but it is an area to be (and is being) worked on.

You may not agree but I do think he had a point, maybe not the point he intended to make, but a point nonetheless.

Well, I am munching on a massive piece of humble pie as I type.

I was a critic of whitings a couple of years ago and couldn't see where he fitted into our squad.

Well, the answer to that question is, just about anywhere and with some style as well.

So I hold my hands up, I was very wrong. He is Mr Hull FC.

Still got lead I his wellys though

I did find that a little strange tbh as they've got both McShane and Hood who are highly rated by all accounts. Unless they're injured?

Mc'Shane played for the under 20's yesterday and ran the show. Hood is out on loan IIRC.

Couldn't you say the same about Wigan and half backs? Who have they produced since Robinson?

Sometimes it happnes, it's strange.

And even Wigan felt the need last season to sign Ben Cross on a short term deal rather than promote a young player. It's part and parcel of the game.

I think Clarke was put out that Wigan had loaned him out. He mentioned during the Rover's game that he was disappointed that Gelling was playing when Russell could have done a job for them.

As I pointed out, we have/had options there. We can't have unlimited options in every position though, and it's ridiculous to suggest that we should.

Fullbacks and Wingers have never been a strong point from the local area

That's how I saw it.

If that's how we're going to play for the rest of the season it will be even better when we get Westy back with his creativity down the right side.

I get the feeling phil clark has a thing for russell and is gutted he won't see him for a month

McRae announced today that talks with Whiting are starting very soon for an extension. He has to be at the club until the end of 2014 to receive his full testimonial year and they expect, and hope, for him to do so.

You could be right, he does seem very upset that he's come to Hull.

Great news

To say it's wrong to promote a young kid from Wigan at full back rather than our own is ludicrous.
If anyone had seen our U20's play yesterday, it's there for all to see. Plainly and simply ours are not ready yet. Not saying they are not good enough, just not their time for now. Russell is about ready for that step-up, Phil Clark's galled to see him elsewhere.

get sir richard signed up,is he our new stand off?

did McRae sign rich originally?

Yeah, he came in 2004.

Get him signed. I'd be more than happy for him to see out his playing days with us.